Potato-cutter



R. F. WILSON.

POTATO CUTTER. APPLxcATmN FILED MAR. s. 1921.

1,890,739. Patentedept. 13,1921.

@me/M301,

L UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlC.

ROBERT FQWILSON, OF MONTROSE, COLORADO.

POTATO-CUTTER.

To all whom t may concern.

Be it known that I, Bonner F. Willson, a citizen of the United States, residing at Montrose, in the county of Montrose and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful" Improvements in Potato-Cutters, of which the following is a specication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in potato cutters and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and im proved device of this general character embodying a cutting element supported for reciprocatory movement and which element operates upon movement of the same toward the coacting table to sever the potato into a plurality of pieces.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of this general character embodying a cutting element supported for reciprocatory movement, together' with a guiding means coacting with the element to maintain the same in substantially a fixed path 0f travel.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved pototo cutter whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will be hereinafter definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken through a cutter constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention, certain of the parts being in elevation;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the cutting element. 1

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, T denotes a work table supported at a desired elevation through the medium of the supporting legs 1. The legs at each end Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept, 139 1921. Application inea march 9, 1921.

Serial No. 451,003.

of the table are in transverse alinement and have their lower portions connected by the cross member 2. Connecting the cross members 2 and arranged adjacent the rear legs 1 is a longitudinally disposed beam or strip 3.

Bridging the space between the central portion of the beam or strip 3 and the table T is a vertically disposed strip or slat 4 preferably disposed on an upward and rearward incline, as is particularly illustrated in Fig. 1. Extending outwardly from the forward face of the strip or slat 4 at predetermined spaced points longitudinally thereof are the guide brackets 5 through which is slidably directed an elongated bar 6.

Disposed through the lower end of the bar 6 and extending beyond opposite sides thereof is a pin 7. Iivotally engaged with the extended portions of the pin 7 are the extremities of a substantially V-shaped yoke or shackle S. The apex portion of the yoke or shackle 8 is pivotally engaged, as at 9, with a treadle lever 10.

The treadle lever 10 is secured at one end to the central portion of a beam or strip 11. The beam or strip 11 is interposed between the rear legs 1 and pivotally engaged therewith so that the treadle lever 10 may have swinging movement in a vertical direction. The opposite or free end portion of the treadle lever 10 is provided with the pedal or foot piece 12 so that the treadle lever 10 may be readily and conveniently depressed at will by the foot of an operator.

The work table T at a point immediately adjacent the upper end of the strip or slat 4 has disposed therethrough an opening 14 in which fits a metallic block 15 which is held in applied position by the removable plates 16 secured to the opposite faces of the table T.

The block 15 and the plates 16 vare provided with registering openings 17 through which is freely disposed the elongated or shank portion 18 of a cutting element E. The upper end of the shank or straight por tion 18 of the cutting element is continued by a forwardly directed extension 19 substantially at right angles to the elongated portion or shank 18.

Carried by the outer or forward end of the extension 19 is a cross member 20, said member 20 being elongated. and extending equal distances beyond the opposite sides of the extension 19. The forward marginal portion of the shank 18 and the lower or end marginal portions of the extension 19 and cross head 20 are formed into the knife edo'es 21.

larried by the block 15 and extending within the opening 17 thereof are the spaced springs 22 between which the shank 18 of the cutting element E is directed, said springs serving as guides to maintain the cutting element E in a substantially fixed path of travel.

Coacting with each of the springs 22 is an adjusting screw 23 whereby means are vprovided to regulate the spacing of the springs 22 as may be required by the thickness of the shank 18. By this adjusting of the springs 22, compensation may be made for the wear upon the shank 18 so that the cutting element in its reciproeation may be caused to properly function.

The screws 23 are threaded through the walls of the block 15 at opposite sides of the opening 17 and the upper face of the work table Tbelow the top plate 15 is provided with the pockets or recesses 24 into which the outer end portions or heads of the screws 23 extend, so that upon removal of the upper plate 15, the screws 23 may be readily operated to effect the desired adjustment of the springs 22.

The lower end portion of the shank 18 is coupled, as at 25, with the upper end portion ot the rod G, so that the element E and the rod 6 will move in unison and in the same general direction.

The cutting element E is normally maintained raised above the work table T and this is accomplished through the instrumen tality of the springs S. The springs S are arranged at opposite sides of the bar 6 and have their upper end portions secured, as at 26, to the under surface of the table T while the opposite or lower end portions of the springs S are secured to the extended portions of the pin 7.

My improved device is particularly adapted for use in the cutting of seed potatoes and the potato to be cut is positioned on the table below the extended portion 19 and cross member 20 of the clement E so that, upon depression of the treadle lever 10, the otato will be severed into three pieces. IShould the potato be of unusual size, the large section cut may be operated upon in the same manner, so that the potato would be out into five pieces.

.F rom the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a potato cutter constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A cutter of the class described comprising a table, a cutting element coacting with Said table and including a shank having one end portion freely disposed through the table, the opposite end portion terminating in an extension, a cross member carried by the extension,.and spaced springs carried by the table below the top thereof and between which the shank of the cutting element is guided.

2. A cutter of the class described comprising a table, a cutting element coacting with said table and including a shank having one end portion freely disposed table, the opposite end portion terminating in an extension, a cross member carried by the extension, spaced springs carried by the table below the top thereof and between which the shank of the cutting element passes, and means for adjusting the springs with respect to the shank.

3. A potato cutter comprising a work support, a cutter member vertically reciprocal through said support, a foot lever for operating the cutter, means for returning the eutter to inoperative position, a biturcated guiding member carried by the work support and between the legs of which is arranged the cutter, guide springs disposed upon opposite sides of the cutter and arranged between the legs ot the guiding member, and set screws threaded into the legs ot the guiding member and contacting with the springs for adjusting their engagement with the i cutter.

In testimony whereof I hereunto ailix my signature.

ROBERT F. VILSON.

for this reason l do through the 

